Consumer Reports lets you know how to get the best airline experience.

Consumer Reports lets you know how to get the best airline experience.

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Updated: 9:03 AM PDT Sep 15, 2016

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WEBVTT LISA WITH AIRLINES PACKING IN MORE SEATS THAN EVER BEFORE, SAVVY TRAVELERS BOOK AHEAD TO AVOID THE DREADED MIDDLE SEAT. INCREASINGLY, THAT IS NOT AN OPTION, AT LEAST NOT FOR FREE. >> NOW EVEN SELECTING A REGULAR OR ECONOMY SEAT CAN COST YOU. LISA: THEY WILL OFTEN RELEASE SEATS THAT THEY HAVE NOT RELEASED OR THEM ARE CANCELED 72 HOURS AHEAD OF THE FLIGHT. KNOWING WHICH SEEK TO GIVE YOU THE MOST ROOM CAN HELP AS WELL. CHECK OUT SETGURU .COM FOR INFORMATION ON MOST AIRLINES SEATING PLANS. >> IF YOU ARE STILL IN A CRAMPED SEAT OR YOUR FLIGHT IS OVER FOUR HOURS, GET UP FREQUENTLY AND STRETCH TO AVOID BLOOD CLOTS. LISA ANOTHER TRAVEL MISHAP YOU CAN AVOID, MISSING YOUR CONNECTING FLIGHT. ALLOW AT LEAST TWO HOURS BETWEEN DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND FOUR IF YOU ARE TRAVELING OVERSEAS. SITTING IN THE FRONT CAN SAVE AS MUCH AS 15 MINUTES WHEN THE PLANING, BUT YOU MAY NEED TO PAY FOR THE SEAT. AVOID BOOKING THE LAST FLIGHT OF THE DAY. IF POSSIBLE, AVOID MAJOR AIRPORTS THAT HAVE THE WORST ON-TIME PERFORMANCE. AND YOU HAVE RIGHTS IF YOU ARE BOUND INVOLUNTARILY FROM A FLIGHT AND ARE DELAYED. YOU CAN BE ENTITLED UP TO $650

Consumer Reports: How to get the best out of the airlines

Consumer Reports lets you know how to get the best airline experience.